A farmer has launched a passionate defence of his plans for a huge dairy unit next to a school near Welshpool after coming face-to-face with protestors.

Farmer Fraser Jones wants to build the dairy unit for 1,000 cattle in Leighton, but campaigners fear the proposed development could spell the end of the village school.

Up to 100 people attended a special meeting at Leighton Primary School last night to hear Mr Jones explain why he wanted to expand his unit by up to five times.

He told objectors the only way for him to survive in the dairy industry was to increase his herd because milk prices were so low.

People have raised objections about noise, smell, flies, increased traffic, the size of the development and its proximity to a primary school, which will be situated 100 yards away.

But Mr Jones disputed the concerns about noise and extra traffic movement.

He today said: “Supermarkets are crucifying us – the British dairy industry. It’s either go bigger or give up. Statistics show a lot of dairy farmers are giving up.”

He said the development would actually mean less traffic movement and a health plan would be put in place to tackle the odour and flies.

“I’m doing my best to allay people’s fears. A lot of people are saying the unit will bring with it extra traffic but it will actually bring less,” he added.

“At the moment my silage is being taken away from the farm but this development will mean that everything produced on farm will stay at the farm.

“I care about the community of Leighton. I have a young daughter who I plan on sending to Leighton Primary School, the last thing I want to see is the school closing.”

But Holly Dyer, a parent at the school, said: “A lot of us are extremely worried how close it will be to the school and we are worried what impact it will have on not only the school but the pupils’ health too.”

She said she had now started a Facebook group, entitled Save Leighton School, for people to voice their opinions.

Miss Dyer said organisers of the meeting would now put together a structured opposition to the proposal and would be presenting it to Powys County Council planning officers on Friday.

By Anwen Evans